How does seeking wise counsel reflect obedience to God's will in decision-making? Setting the Scene: 2 Chronicles 10:6 “Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. ‘How do you advise me to respond to these people?’ he asked.” Rehoboam took his first step in the right direction: he sought the seasoned, God-fearing advisors who had stood beside Solomon. Their collective experience and knowledge of God’s covenant ways gave them authority worth hearing. What followed—his rejection of that counsel—illustrates why listening to wise voices is a direct act of obedience. Why Wise Counsel Equals Obedience • God repeatedly commands the seeking of sound advice. Accepting that command honors His authority. • Scripture presents counsel as a gift God uses to steer His people (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22). Receiving the gift shows trust in the Giver. • Counsel grounded in God’s word aligns the believer with God’s revealed will, guarding against self-reliance (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Humility before elders and mature believers reflects humility before God, an essential posture for obedience (1 Peter 5:5). Contrast: Obedience of the Elders vs. Rehoboam’s Rebellion The elders advised gentleness and servant leadership (2 Chronicles 10:7). Rehoboam ignored them, choosing peers who flattered his pride (v. 8–11). Result: the kingdom split, fulfilling the prophetic warning of 1 Kings 11:31–35. Lesson: embracing—or ignoring—wise counsel carries serious consequences. Scripture’s Broader Witness • Proverbs 19:20 — “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.” • Psalm 1:1 — Happiness is tied to rejecting ungodly counsel. • James 1:5 — God invites believers to ask Him for wisdom; He often answers through His word and His people. • Psalm 119:105 — God’s word lights the path; wise counselors help apply that light to specific decisions. Marks of God-Honoring Counsel • Rooted in Scripture, not mere opinion. • Motivated by love and reverence for the Lord. • Proven by godly fruit in the counselor’s own life. • Willing to speak hard truths, not just comfortable suggestions (Proverbs 27:6). Practical Steps for Seeking and Heeding Counsel 1. Pray for discernment before approaching others (James 1:5). 2. Identify mature believers whose lives demonstrate obedience. 3. Present the decision honestly, withholding nothing that could skew advice. 4. Measure every counsel against clear biblical teaching (Acts 17:11). 5. Choose obedience even when counsel challenges personal preference. 6. Thank those who speak truth; gratitude cultivates continued accountability. Fruit of Obedient Listening • Spiritual protection from rash, flesh-driven choices. • Greater unity within the body of Christ, as shared wisdom fosters shared direction. • Ongoing formation into Christ-likeness through humility and submission. • Testimony to a watching world that God’s people live under His shepherding care. Encouragement to Act God graciously places wise voices beside every believer. Listening to them is more than good advice—it is active submission to God’s will, walking the well-lit path He has laid out in His unerring word. |
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